]]>Planning for 2019’s New Year’s resolution? From getting in shape to setting up a successful financial plan, ACI’s EAP provides a surprising range of referrals to kick off 2019 with confidence.

Total Well-Being. Looking to get in shape? How about taking care of emotional concerns? The New Year is the perfect time to think about moving forward in a positive way. From body to mind, speak to an EAP clinician for any issue affecting well-being, and receive unlimited referrals to local gyms, nutritionists, and mental health experts.

Financial Wellness: Now that the New Year has rolled around, it’s time to start off on the right foot with personal finances. Building a budget is a great way to get set up for financial success in the coming year. ACI’s EAP offers free financial consultation for getting your budget on track. Plus, there’s no time like the present to start thinking about retirement, paying back student loans, and tax planning.

Legal Consultation: Legal matters don’t have to be daunting with referrals to a local attorney. ACI’s EAP can help find the right attorney for you when it comes to family law, wills, trusts, document preparation, and other personal matters. This year will come with its own challenges along with its triumphs, and having trustworthy legal help can set 2019 up to be as stress-free as possible.

Caretaking Support: No one can do it all alone. From daily child care needs to finding grooming services for Fido, ACI’s EAP provides referrals for all caretaking needs. Local referrals for convenient care services can help free up time and alleviate stress when it comes to caring for loved ones this year.

Personal Services: Don’t have time to sift through all the questionable internet search results? ACI’s EAP can help find referrals for any need for the coming year—everything from a local masseuse for post-holiday stress relief to local apartment recommendations and reputable mechanics to spring cleaning services. Let ACI save time when searching for proven local resources that will help 2019 be the best year ever.

Start 2019 out on the right foot. Contact ACI today to receive unlimited referrals for achieving total well-being, alleviating financial and legal stress, saving time when it comes to caretaking and searching for personal services, and so much more. Quality local referrals are just a tap away—call or email your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by ACI Specialty Benefits at 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com to get started.

]]>With all of the hosting, travel, gift-buying, budgeting, and year-end deadlines at work, the holiday season can bring more stress than joy. So before over-committing, over-spending and over-working yourself into a holiday meltdown, take a moment to step back and create a simple holiday plan based on what really matters most. Ask yourself these 6 questions to get started:

1. What is my ultimate vision for this holiday season?

Everyone celebrates the holidays differently and there is no right or wrong way to do so. Think about how you want your holiday season to be, what will really bring the most joy, and what you can do to make that happen. Getting clear about what’s most important is the first step in not stressing about the small things.

2. What obligations can I let go of?

Whether it’s the pressure to give the perfect gift, or squeeze in family bonding time with the entire extended family, think about all the obligations, expectations and pressure you may be putting on yourself or others during the holidays. Ask yourself, “Am I doing this out of guilt” or “Is this tradition really important?” Try to let go of the less meaningful things so you can feel more fulfilled and less frazzled.

3. How can I make rest and relaxation a priority?

Over-committing is a major cause of holiday stress. Before getting swept up in the holiday spirit and agreeing to an ambitious holiday social calendar, menu plan, gift list and workload – think about what can be outsourced, postponed, scaled back, or changed. How can you start the New Year more refreshed and rejuvenated?

4. What is my ‘real’ budget?

Get real about how much gift-buying, hosting, and travel will cost. Then make a holiday spending plan and try to stick to it. Creative homemade gifts, affordable meal planning, and gift exchanges can help ease the over-spending trap without affecting the real joy of the season.

5. How can I make technology go to work for me?

Save time, money, and hassle by using technology for online shopping, travel tools, and staying organized. Card making apps are great for holiday cards.

6. What am I most grateful for?

If it’s your health and family well-being, then remember to get rest, eat well, and stress less. If it’s quality time with loved ones, then be present and available to enjoy that time. Gratitude is a great antidote to stress, so if feelings of holiday frenzy start to rush in, take a breath, be grateful for the moment, and keep things in perspective.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/28/holiday-stress/feed/0A Special Thanksgiving Message to ACI’s Extended Familyhttps://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/15/thanksgiving-acis-family/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/15/thanksgiving-acis-family/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 20:28:35 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=9224As the season of thanks has officially arrived, I want to extend a special thank you to the often-unsung heroes […]

]]>As the season of thanks has officially arrived, I want to extend a special thank you to the often-unsung heroes of the workplace—the family.

While I have been CEO and Founder of ACI Specialty Benefits for 35 years, I have even more experience as mother and grandmother. Perhaps that is why when I look at each and every employee at ACI, I see beyond the individual. I see the hardworking mom putting her daughter through college, the grandfather picking up the kids from school, the single dad hustling to make ends meet. In other words, I see family.

It is often the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in-laws who step in to provide childcare, housing, transportation, and other support to enable ACI’s working parents to show up to work every day. That brings me to my favorite ACI event—ACI’s Family Day.

Each year, ACI celebrates the wonderful people behind ACI’s employees, including parents, grandparents, and children of all ages. At this year’s Family Day held at San Diego’s world-famous Sea World, I met proud grandparents, adorable newborns, military family members and bright young women who are sure-to-be future leaders. I am not often at a loss for words, but looking out into the crowd at ACI’s Family Day each year simply takes my breath away.

This Thanksgiving season, I encourage my fellow business leaders to look beyond their individual employees, and ask themselves, “How am I empowering the people who power my business?” In many ways, it is the often-unnoticed contributions of so many family members that power global business and it is important to show them the recognition, appreciation and support they deserve.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/15/thanksgiving-acis-family/feed/0California Fire Resources and EAP Support (Camp, Woolsey and Hill Fires)https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/09/camp-fire-woolsey-fire-hill-fire/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/09/camp-fire-woolsey-fire-hill-fire/#respondFri, 09 Nov 2018 16:25:58 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=9186ACI Specialty Benefits would like to remind clients, employees and family members that ACI’s Employee Assistance Program services are available to assist […]

]]>ACI Specialty Benefits would like to remind clients, employees and family members that ACI’s Employee Assistance Program services are available to assist those impacted by the Camp Fire in Butte County, California, and the Woolsey Fire and Hill Fire in Ventura County, California.

ACI’s clinical team is on-hand to provide immediate emotional support, and work-life specialists are ready to provide referrals to any emergency resources, housing, or other specific needs.

Emotional support for dealing with traumatic events

Emergency referrals for basic needs including shelter, food and clothing

Emergency pet care and boarding

Community-based resources

Locating loved ones

Charitable giving opportunities

To help management in times of crisis, ACI also provides unlimited consultation services and critical incident response for any clients impacted by the fires. Contact ACI Specialty Benefits at Call 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com for additional information and support.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/11/09/camp-fire-woolsey-fire-hill-fire/feed/0Top 5 Websites for Veterans Returning to the Civilian Workforcehttps://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/10/24/websites-for-veterans/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/10/24/websites-for-veterans/#respondWed, 24 Oct 2018 14:47:44 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=7600With the seemingly endless array of advice, links, and phone numbers, finding the right resources for veterans and their family […]

]]>With the seemingly endless array of advice, links, and phone numbers, finding the right resources for veterans and their family members can be difficult. To help tackle the challenges of returning to the civilian workforce, here are five of the best websites for veterans and their family members to find resources and support:

Take advantage of Veteran Affairs eligibility. They served their country; now their country serves them. VA health care benefits offer a wide variety of services and discounts. VA health care benefits are more affordable than most health care plans, saving veterans and their families money on physical therapy, wellness programs, and offering free or discounted prescriptions.

Find employment.Working in the civilian sector is much different than working in the military. Check out Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) for resources on job training, career growth, resume development, employment accommodations for disabled veterans and more. Veterans can even get coaching on starting their own small business!

Build a community. After leaving the service, veterans can feel lost without a like-minded community. No one understands veterans like other veterans. At Meetup, search for groups for finding work, volunteering, socializing—even playing Airsoft or learning to code. It’s important to keep a connection to other veterans after leaving the service to build friendships with a purpose.

Get help now. This confidential, 24/7 helpline is available to all veterans, friends, and family members in times of crisis. Veterans are 22% more likely to be at risk for suicide than non-veterans, but the Veterans Crisis Line’s qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders can be the first step toward getting life-saving support.

Find more resources just for veterans. Don’t qualify for VA health care or VR&E? Don’t worry. The National Resource Directory partners with the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, federal and local agencies, nonprofits, academic institutions and more to bring resources into one easy-to-use website. Veterans and family members can find local resources that might not be listed elsewhere, including assistance with housing, finances, healthcare, and continuing education.

ACI Specialty Benefits can help military families, active duty service members and veterans. ACI’s Veteran Connection is the ultimate resource for employees and students who have served in the military, as well as their family members.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/10/24/websites-for-veterans/feed/0Hurricane Michael Resources and EAP Support Serviceshttps://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/10/09/hurricane-michael/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/10/09/hurricane-michael/#respondTue, 09 Oct 2018 21:08:35 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=9058ACI Specialty Benefits would like to remind clients, employees and family members that ACI’s employee assistance program services are available […]

ACI’s clinical team is on hand to provide immediate emotional support, and work-life specialists are ready to provide referrals to any emergency resources, housing, or other specific needs.

ACI’s Support and Referral Services:

Emotional support for dealing with traumatic events

Emergency referrals for basic needs including shelter, food and clothing

Emergency pet care and boarding

Community-based resources

Locating loved ones

Charitable giving opportunities

To help management in times of crisis, ACI also provides unlimited consultation services and critical incident response for any clients impacted by Hurricane Michael. Contact ACI Specialty Benefits at 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com for additional information and support.

A jam‐packed schedule often leads to sleep deprivation and daily exhaustion. Take a hard look at commitments, and try eliminating the non‐essential activities to create more time to relax.

Pick up new habits.

Many people enjoy being on their phones or tablets while lying in bed, but this trains the brain to think that laying in bed means being awake. Put away electronics 30 minutes before bed to make it easier to fall asleep and get a better night’s sleep.

Bring back nap time.

A 15 or 20-minute nap can boost mental and physical performance, as well as mood, without interfering with sleep at night.

Find gratitude.

It can be easy to focus on the negative things in life. Counter this bad habit by taking a moment each morning and each night to think about something to be thankful for.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/21/self-care/feed/0Hurricane Florence Resources and EAP Support Serviceshttps://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/11/hurricane-florence/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/11/hurricane-florence/#respondTue, 11 Sep 2018 21:53:14 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=8997ACI Specialty Benefits would like to remind clients, employees and family members that ACI’s employee assistance program services are available […]

ACI’s clinical team is on-hand to provide immediate emotional support, and work-life specialists are ready to provide referrals to any emergency resources, housing, or other specific needs.

ACI’s Support and Referral Services:

Emotional support for dealing with traumatic events

Emergency referrals for basic needs including shelter, food and clothing

Emergency pet care and boarding

Community-based resources

Locating loved ones

Charitable giving opportunities

To help management in times of crisis, ACI also provides unlimited consultation services and critical incident response for any clients impacted by Hurricane Florence. Contact ACI Specialty Benefits at 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com for additional information and support.

]]>https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/11/hurricane-florence/feed/0Tropical Storm Gordon Resources and EAP Support Serviceshttps://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/05/hurricane-gordon/
https://acispecialtybenefits.com/2018/09/05/hurricane-gordon/#respondWed, 05 Sep 2018 14:21:08 +0000https://acispecialtybenefits.com/?p=8957ACI Specialty Benefits would like to remind clients, employees and family members that ACI’s employee assistance program services are available […]

ACI’s clinical team is on-hand to provide immediate emotional support, and work-life specialists are ready to provide referrals to any emergency resources, housing, or other specific needs.

ACI’s EAP Support and Referral Services:

Emotional support for dealing with traumatic events

Emergency referrals for basic needs including shelter, food and clothing

Emergency pet care and boarding

Community-based resources

Locating loved ones

Charitable giving opportunities

To help management in times of crisis, ACI also provides unlimited consultation services and critical incident response for any clients impacted by Tropical Storm Gordon. Contact ACI Specialty Benefits at 800.932.0034 or eapinfo@acispecialtybenefits.com for additional information and support.

]]>From ketogenic diets to high-intensity P90X workouts, it seems like the latest healthy living trends are quite extreme and often unsustainable. Living well at every stage of life doesn’t have to be restrictive or stressful. The key to healthy aging is adapting to change, making smart choices for the mind and body, and staying connected to community and loved ones. Here are 5 simple steps for living well and feeling great at any age.

Enjoy lifelong learning. Learning a new skill can kick the brain into high gear. Want to learn how to play the guitar or how investments work? Take a class or watch a how-to video. Brain health is about more than solving the latest Sudoku—it’s about exercising lesser-used parts of the brain for overall better cognitive function.

Be social. Being among friends and loved ones is proven to lower heart rate and boost oxytocin, the love and bonding hormone. So start a book club, set up dinner dates with friends, or join online meetup groups with similar interests to stay connected, make new friends, and live a happier life.

Get regular check-ups. Don’t skip annual preventive visits to the doctor. Regular check-ups can also help prevent mental health issues that may arise as a result of aging stressors. Don’t assume that feeling down is the norm—aging and feeling good are not mutually exclusive. World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10, so contact a mental health professional for resources on mental wellness.